When my daughter took “Spanish IV” at school last year, I discovered one of west Wichita’s best-kept restaurant secrets: Rene’s Mexican Fast Food.

Her class went there for breakfast, and she kept telling me that I had to try it because it served the best breakfast burritos. Preferring donuts to burritos for breakfast, I decided to try Rene’s for dinner instead. It was a decision I’m glad I made.

The restaurant is an order-at-the-counter place, and it’s open 24 hours a day. Its menu board listed more than 80 items, so I asked the cashier what she recommended. She suggested the Colorado burrito, one of the restaurant’s top sellers. It’s a grilled tortilla filled with potatoes, steak, cheese and Mexican salsa.

My husband chose the Machaca torta, a Mexican sandwich with bread filled with Churro beef, tomatoes, onions, scrambled eggs, cheese and peppers. But the cook told us he was out of torta bread, so he put the Machaca mixture in a grilled tortilla instead, and it was delicious.

Many burritos are more tortilla than filling. At Rene’s, it’s just the opposite. Our burritos were stuffed with so many ingredients, we almost forgot we were eating a burrito.

We also tried the chips and guacamole. It was fresh and flavorful, and the guacamole was served over the chips with shredded cheese. The restaurant also has a self-serve salsa bar, and it was amazing. Customers can choose from five salsas, and my favorite was a chunky one. The bar also offers hot carrots – sliced carrots mixed with sliced jalapeno peppers and onions. If you like your salsa spicy, don’t miss the Rene’s salsa bar.

Rene’s offers something for everyone. Burritos, tamales, tortas, tacos, enchiladas, combination plates, tostadas and quesadillas. Breakfast plates and breakfast burritos are available any time. Churros also are available for dessert.

It’s affordable, too. Prices range from $1.75-$9 with most items less than $5. Combination plates range from $6.90 to $9.

Rene’s fast food restaurant offers dine in, carry out and drive-up service. It may not be the fanciest restaurant, but the food, service and price make it worth the trip.

Ratings reflect the critic’s judgment of the food, service and atmosphere in relation to the price. If you would like to nominate a restaurant to be reviewed, call 316-268-6327.